Primate Elijah Ayodele, leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, has denied claims that he attempted to extort N150 million from Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu in exchange for spiritual support ahead of the Oyo governorship race.
His response follows a petition filed by Adelabu to the Department of State Services (DSS) accusing the cleric of blackmail, issuing fake prophecies, and repeatedly demanding large sums of money along with costly spiritual materials.
According to the petition dated October 13, 2025 and signed by Adelabu’s media aide, Bolaji Tunji, Ayodele allegedly requested 24 APC flags, 1,000 saxophones/trumpets valued between N50 million and N130 million, and other items which he claimed were necessary for “divine favour”.
Text messages between both men, reviewed by TheCable, showed Ayodele setting deadlines for delivering the items and emphasizing his support for Adelabu’s political ambitions.
The minister rejected the requests, saying he could not afford them. After communication broke down, Ayodele reportedly began declaring in sermons that Adelabu would “fail” politically, a move Adelabu described as revenge and false prophecy.
In his petition, Adelabu, who has contested the Oyo governorship twice and plans to run again in 2027, urged the DSS and the Oyo State Police Command to investigate Ayodele for alleged extortion, political manipulation, and incitement.
Ayodele Responds: ‘I Never Asked For Money’
Speaking to TheCable, Primate Ayodele denied all allegations, insisting that no financial transaction took place.
According to him, it was Adelabu who first reached out “through emissaries” because he was “desperate” to become governor.
“I didn’t blackmail him. No money was exchanged,” he said. “I can charge any amount for my services, even N1 billion, if I deliver value — but I never asked him for money.”
Ayodele said the request for trumpets was only symbolic and not intended for his church, adding that Adelabu opted out because of the cost.
His spokesperson, Osho Oluwatosin, later issued a statement describing the allegations as fabricated. He claimed the cleric only asked Adelabu to verify the cost of the instruments, which he says the minister willingly did.
Ayodele emphasized that his long-standing prophecies about Adelabu’s political struggles predate any personal contact between them.
“I don’t make prophecies for money. God has blessed me already,” he said.
